BODALLA Park rest area and Mummaga Lake walking track in Bodalla State Forest will be temporarily closed from mid-August for the safety of visitors during timber harvesting in the area.

Forestry Corporation’s senior production manager Daniel Tuan said work would commence in Bodalla State Forest in mid-August and continue for around two months.

“During timber harvesting, we will need to close the Bodalla Park Rest Area and the Mummaga Lake Walking Track temporarily for the safety of forest users,” he said.

“We are asking visitors to pay attention to signs within the forest and be mindful of machinery and vehicles in the area.”

“These are popular visitor areas so we have scheduled this operation during a quiet time of year to minimise disruption during the warmer summer months.

“In line with our stringent environmental plans, we will not be operating along the section of walking track adjacent to Lake Mummaga.

However, the whole of the walking track will need to be closed for safety reasons.

“We will complete a thorough risk assessment of the areas before they re-open to ensure they are safe, taking particular care to identify and remove overhead hazards in and around visitor areas.”

Bodalla State Forest is predominantly a regrowth forest that has previously been harvested for timber and this operation will provide an important boost to local timber processing and wood product industries.

“A significant proportion of the timber harvested will be processed at the Narooma sawmill, creating local work in the production of high quality flooring and decking products and the operation will also produce firewood, providing locals with affordable home heating next winter,” he said.

“Over the coming months and years we will continue to monitor the area to ensure it regenerates into a thriving forest, which will continue supporting local industry for many years to come.”